Most people when they think of a five star movie, they think the critic just really liked the movie, so much so that they would almost gladly pay for you too see it. That is how good it was. Well in some way that is a good explanation of a five star movie. However, when I am watching a movie and even more, critically analyzing a movie, the stars must be earned and in no way are given.

Problem with handing out "Two Thumbs Up" and "Five Star" ratings is that no moviegoer has any idea what the reasons are behind the rating it was given. Most critics are just a name and rely on their name to earn the trust of his/her readers to believe him/her when they review a movie. Though before I, as a critic can earn your trust, I feel I must explain to you as a reader what I look for in movies and how they earn their ratings.

For me as a critic, each star earned stands for something I as a critic expect to see out of every movie and for the most part every moviegoer expects out of there experience in a theatre. Five stars = five categories. Those categories: 1) Casting and performance, 2) Setting and Special Effects, 3) Story line and presentation, 4) Does it accomplish its goal (will explain soon), and 5) Reaction

Now too quickly explain the categories and what it takes to EARNE all five.

1) Casting and performance - pretty obvious. This category deals with the actors and actresses that were casted to play roles in the movie. Was the right actor/actress chosen for the role he/she represented? Also, if they were the person for the part did they come through and perform the role well.

2) Setting and Special Effects - again pretty obvious. This category deals with the rest of movie making after examining the cast and their performance. Was the set design good for the movie? Was shot location good, for example shooting Friday the 13th in Manhattan = not good, shooting at Camp Crystal Lake = you get your one star. Also this category deals with the special effects of a movie. Was it believable, did it add or take away from the movie itself? Overall, was the movie visual good enough to entertain you, like a movie such as Independence Day or Matrix.


3) Story Line and presentation - a little more explanation may be needed. This category relies on the actual script itself and then also the presentation of it on screen. So many times you hear people discuss movies and many times a comment will be said describing the movie as good, but the BOOK was better. That is exactly what this category is about. The script may be good, but the film making is not. Also the opposite, the film making may be excellent but the acting and presentation may not have gotten the story across. Some times, both sides do their jobs and other times it is a complete failure all around. So basically I look to see was the story idea entertaining and was it presented in a creative way.

4) Does it accomplish its goal - will explain now. This category is so basic that it is too easy to describe. The whole idea behind this category is did this movie accomplish what it said it would. For example, a comedy like National Lampoons Van Wilder, did it make us laugh and entertain us? If yes than it accomplished its goal. Another example, an action movie like Black Hawk Down, did it keep us on the edge of our seat. If yes than it accomplished its goal. Most movies will tell you their goals for the movie in their previews if you listen closely to the way it is described as a "romantic comedy that will show you the meaning of friendship," etc.


5) Reaction - last but not least. This is where a good movie becomes a five star movie. This is also were a critics opinion of a movie comes into play. Anyone can go out and look for the first four stars almost like doing research. But as a moviegoer this category is what puts a movie over the edge. For a movie to earn a whole star in this category it must keep my interest through out the movie, must make me think, it also must be creative with its story line. A five star movie is more than just 120 plus minutes in a theatre, it goes home with you and to work the next day. You take about, you suggest it too others, you can't wait to get it on DVD or VHS the Tuesday it is released. This is a five star movie, one that no matter how many times you see it, you still get that feeling of it is the first time you have seen it and you are just as entertained.

Now that you have an explanation of how a movie becomes a five star movie you can look for Columbus Wired to help you out with reviewing movies. In my reviews you will see that my reviews will have a rating at the end and in my story will explain why it was given the stars and where it may of lacked from becoming the all important Five Star Movie experience.